Schell Games, the development studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the viral hit Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of staff reductions. The news broke after a series of LinkedIn updates from current and former employees began to surface, indicating that the layoffs started on a Friday earlier this week.
According to a report published by Game Developer, multiple members of the Schell Games team posted about the cuts, offering a candid look at the internal atmosphere and the personal impact of the downsizing. One of the most prominent posts came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, “Schell Games experienced its first ever layoffs today.” The manager clarified that they themselves were not among those let go, and they added a note of reassurance to their colleagues: “This isn’t a result of anything you did or failed to do.
Our industry – and indeed the broader market – is currently losing blood.” The marketing department was also directly affected, as confirmed by marketing director Dwayne Waite Jr. In his update, Waite identified four members of the marketing team who were impacted and expressed his disappointment at having to deliver such news. Further details emerged when the studio’s senior public relations manager shared additional names from the art, design, and visual effects divisions, indicating that the cuts spanned multiple disciplines within the company.
Based on the cumulative information from these posts, industry observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been laid off. This figure is noteworthy when compared with the company’s public LinkedIn profile, which lists its workforce size as ranging between 51 and 200 staff members. If the higher end of that range is accurate, the layoffs represent a small but significant percentage of the total headcount, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
One of the affected employees, the senior public relations manager, posted a reflective message that captured both the sorrow and the pride felt by many. They wrote, “I won’t pretend this isn’t a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years.” Yet, they also emphasized a sense of accomplishment, stating, “I’m walking away proud of what I accomplished during my time with the company, and I’m grateful for the people I got to build with.” This sentiment reflects a common theme among those departing: a mixture of regret over the abrupt ending and gratitude for the collaborative experiences that defined their tenure.
The layoffs are particularly striking given the public stance taken by Schell Games’ founder and CEO, Jesse Schell, who has long spoken out against job cuts in the industry. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a philosophy that separates financial risk from the risk to employees.
He explained, “At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk. We’ll put cash at risk when we make a game, but we don’t put jobs at risk.” He went on to stress that even if the studio’s own intellectual property generated no revenue, the company would still strive to keep its workforce intact, describing this approach as a deliberate choice rather than a default business practice. Schell’s comments highlight a broader tension within the video‑game sector, where development studios often juggle high‑risk, high‑reward projects against the volatility of market demand.
The industry has been described as “hemorrhaging” due to a combination of factors: rising production costs, shifting consumer preferences, and the lingering effects of economic downturns that have forced many companies to reassess their financial strategies. While larger publishers may have the cushion to weather short‑term losses, smaller independent studios like Schell Games can find themselves especially vulnerable when revenue streams fluctuate. The current situation at Schell Games also raises questions about the sustainability of the studio’s business model. The company has built a reputation for creating immersive, narrative‑driven experiences that blend physical interaction with digital gameplay.
Their portfolio includes titles that have been praised for innovative design, such as the I Expect You to Die series, which places players in the role of a secret agent tasked with escaping elaborate traps. However, developing such experiences often requires substantial investment in specialized hardware, motion‑capture technology, and high‑quality art assets—expenses that can be difficult to recoup without a steady flow of sales or licensing deals. Industry analysts suggest that the recent layoffs could be a symptom of a larger realignment within the sector, where studios are forced to streamline operations, focus on core competencies, or pivot toward more commercially viable projects. Some experts predict that we may see an increase in strategic partnerships, where smaller studios collaborate with larger publishers to share risk and gain access to broader distribution channels.
Others argue that the rise of subscription‑based gaming services could provide a more stable revenue model for niche developers, allowing them to continue producing unique experiences without the pressure of immediate sales performance. In response to the layoffs, GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for comment, seeking clarification on the decision‑making process and how the company plans to support the affected employees moving forward. As of now, no official statement has been released beyond the individual LinkedIn posts, leaving many in the community to speculate about the next steps for the studio.
The broader gaming community has reacted with empathy and concern. Colleagues from other studios have shared messages of support, offering to connect displaced workers with freelance opportunities or open positions at their own companies. This sense of solidarity underscores a growing awareness within the industry that talent mobility and mutual assistance are crucial in times of economic uncertainty. Looking ahead, the future of Schell Games remains uncertain.
While the company has demonstrated resilience and creativity in the past, the current climate suggests that even well‑established studios are not immune to market pressures. The layoffs serve as a stark reminder that the promise of job security, even in a company led by a vocal advocate for employee stability, can be challenged by broader economic forces.
As the industry continues to evolve, both creators and consumers will be watching closely to see how studios adapt, innovate, and, ultimately, sustain their teams in an ever‑changing landscape.